Bush discusses Kenya, terrorism and aid on Africa tour

By Barry Moody

DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush discusses Africa's crises and a mounting terrorist threat on Sunday but he will try to keep his tour of the continent focused on the good news of projects to fight AIDS and malaria.

Bush, on a five-nation trip in the final months of his presidency, arrived in Tanzania on Saturday after a brief visit to Benin.

The east African country, considered a model for progressive development, is the centrepiece of a tour intended to highlight Bush's successful and compassionate policies on the continent in contrast to his controversial handling of Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.

But Jendayi Frazer, the top U.S. diplomat for Africa, said Bush would discuss the bloody post-election crisis in neighbouring Kenya, Chad -- which repelled a rebel assault two weeks ago -- and Zimbabwe in discussions on Sunday with President Jakaya Kikwete, the new chairman of the African Union.

On his first stop in Benin, Bush threw his weight behind a power-sharing deal in Kenya to end violence since the disputed re-election of President Mwai Kibaki in December that has killed 1,000 people.

He will send Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Kenya on Monday to add momentum to mediation by former U.N. chief Kofi Annan.

Although Bush will not visit Kenya himself, he tried on Saturday to ratchet up the pressure on government and opposition to reach a deal to end the worst crisis since independence.

POWER SHARING